Vatican suspends German bishop amid spending investigation

By CNN Staff

Updated 4:56 PM ET, Wed October 23, 2013

German "Bling Bishop" suspended11 photos

German 'Bling Bishop' suspended – German Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst speaks at Limburg Cathedral in Limburg, Germany, in August 2012. Coined the "Bling Bishop," Tebartz-van Elst has been suspended from his position while he is under investigation for spending $42 million on renovations to his residence.

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German "Bling Bishop" suspended11 photos

German 'Bling Bishop' suspended – Tebartz-van Elst speaks in the chapel of the Old Vicariate in Limburg in December 2012.

German 'Bling Bishop' suspended – Tebartz-van Elst sits during a pontifical Mass at Sankt Angela-School in Limburg on September 15.

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German 'Bling Bishop' suspended – Tebartz-van Elst walks with clergy at the German Bishops' Conference in Fulda, Germany, on September 26.

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German 'Bling Bishop' suspended – Tebartz-van Elst leaves the Paul VI Hall in Vatican City in October 2012.

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German 'Bling Bishop' suspended – Tebartz-van-Elst in the inner courtyard of his residence in December 2012.

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German 'Bling Bishop' suspended – Protesters pray and sing in front of the new residence of the bishop to protest against him on October 13.

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German 'Bling Bishop' suspended – A paper addressed to Tebartz-van Elst and referring to German theologian Martin Luther is posted at his chapel on October 13.

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German 'Bling Bishop' suspended – Tebartz-van Elst in his private chapel on December 12, 2012

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German 'Bling Bishop' suspended – An aerial view shows the newly constructed seat of Tebartz-van Elst on October 9.

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Story highlights

Germany's Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst has been called the "Bling Bishop"

The bishop's residence in Limburg, Germany, underwent a $42 million renovation

The Vatican says the bishop must stay outside his diocese during the investigation

The Vatican said Wednesday it has suspended a German bishop who has come under fire for his extravagant lifestyle.

Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst is under investigation for his spending after his residence in Limburg, Germany, was renovated for $42 million.

The Vatican says Tebartz-van Elst cannot carry out his ministry as long as the investigation in ongoing, and he's been ordered to stay outside his diocese.

Called the "Bling Bishop," Tebartz-van Elst, who is known as theologically conservative, has denied any wrongdoing, saying the cost overruns on the renovation are legitimate because surrounding structures had to be protected, including the old city wall.

But many people in Limburg and elsewhere want the bishop to step down.

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"He built his office on lies," said Limburg resident Patrick Dehm. "This must come to an end. The diocese doesn't deserve this."

For papal biographer Marco Politi it's not that simple. "The Pope is sending Bishop Tebartz-van Elst into exile for two months," he told CNN affiliate RTL. "That is indeed a punishment, but a lot now depends on what the investigating committee will say."

Some German media have come down hard on the bishop, with Der Spiegel criticizing him for taking a first-class flight to India, where he visited with the poor. Tebartz-van Elst said that he had gotten an upgrade and that he's no fan of champagne or caviar.

For his latest trip to the Vatican, he reportedly flew on a budget airline.